Patrick and Thomasina Tobin die in shocking luxury Spanish villa spa suction tragedy

A luxury holiday turned into a nightmare when a couple are believed to have become trapped by a spa’s powerful suction — with one dying in a desperate attempt to save the other.

Patrick Tobin, 48, and his wife Thomasina, 51, were found dead in the spa at the Spanish villa they had rented for a family holiday in Cullera, about 40km south of Valencia.

Their children, aged 16 and 14, made the horrifying discovery last week after finding their parents partially outside the spa.

The couple had arrived at the three-bedroom Villa Luna on August 22 for a two-week holiday and were due to return to the UK on September 6.

The spa was billed as a “ground floor oasis” and one of the villa’s key attractions, featuring a jacuzzi, television and shower area built into rock, with panoramic Mediterranean views.

But investigators believe the couple may have fallen victim to the rare phenomenon of suction entrapment.

It occurs when powerful suction from a drain or circulation system traps a person underwater, making it difficult or impossible to escape.

Post-mortem examinations reportedly found marks and scratches on both bodies, while blood was found in the cloudy water and investigators noted a strong chemical smell.

Suction marks were reportedly more pronounced on Mr Tobin, leading to a theory that he may have become trapped first before Mrs Tobin attempted to rescue him.

However, conflicting reports from Spain have suggested the reverse — that Mr Tobin was the one who entered the water to save his wife.